Material Restrictions: Apex vs Cary
How do material restrictions rules compare between Apex, NC and Cary, NC?
Apex, NC
Wake County
Apex UDO Sec. 8.2.7.A controls fence materials. Plywood, particleboard, sheet metal, concrete slabs, and concrete barriers may not be used for fencing. Barbed wire is generally prohibited and may only be used 'in conjunction with a permitted agricultural use or in conjunction with the permitted keeping of horses or livestock,' though up to 2 feet of barbed wire is allowed on top of another fence type for safety in industrial and utility uses. Chain link in residential districts is restricted to side and rear yards of individual lots, and chain link in non-residential districts must be coated black, brown, or dark green vinyl (except industrial/utility chain link, which does not require coating).
View full Apex rules →Cary, NC
Wake County
No data available yet for Cary.
Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Apex | Cary |
|---|---|---|
| Approved Materials | Wood, stone, brick, decorative concrete block, wrought iron (Sec. 8.2.7.A.1) | - |
| Prohibited Materials | Plywood, particleboard, sheet metal, concrete slabs/barriers (Sec. 8.2.7.A.3) | - |
| Barbed Wire | Only with agricultural/livestock use; 2-ft cap on industrial/utility (Sec. 8.2.7.A.5) | - |
| Chain Link in Non-Residential | Must be black/brown/dark green vinyl coated (Sec. 8.2.7.A.4.a) | - |
| Chain Link in Residential | Side and rear yards only, individual lots only (Sec. 8.2.7.A.4.b) | - |
| Subdivision Buffer Chain Link | Not allowed for developer buffering/screening | - |
| Recreational Chain Link | Vinyl coated black/brown/dark green required | - |
| Electrified Fencing | Not listed among permitted materials in Sec. 8.2.7.A.1 | - |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Apex FAQ
Is barbed wire allowed in Apex?
Generally no. UDO Sec. 8.2.7.A.5 limits barbed wire to permitted agricultural uses or properties with permitted horses or livestock. Industrial and utility uses may add 'up to 2' of barbed wire' on top of another fence type for safety purposes.
Can I install a chain-link fence in my front yard?
No. Sec. 8.2.7.A.4.b limits residential chain-link fencing to 'the side and/or rear yards of individual lots.' Chain link is also prohibited for use by subdivision developers for buffering and screening.
What materials are not allowed for fences in Apex?
Per Sec. 8.2.7.A.3, 'materials such as, but not limited to, plywood, particleboard, sheet metal, concrete slabs, concrete barriers shall not be used for fencing or for walls.' Approved materials under Sec. 8.2.7.A.1 are wood, stone, brick, decorative concrete block, wrought iron, lookalike products, or any combination of these.
Cary FAQ
No FAQs available.
Compare other topics
See how Apex and Cary compare on other ordinance categories.
Want to add a third city?
Use our full comparison tool to compare up to three cities.
Open Comparison Tool